RUN-IN Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

run in 1 of 2

verb

Definition of run in

as in to visit

to make a brief visit I just thought I'd run in and pick up my package

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to arrest

to take or keep under one's control by authority of law if we catch you shoplifting again, we're going to run you in

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

run-in

2 of 2

noun

ˈrən-ˌin

as in encounter

a brief clash between enemies or rivals the rival gangs had a bit of a run-in last night

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of run in

Verb

Philip Abner gave up all five runs in the eighth, which began with the Dodgers leading 3-2. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026 Resident Evil has hit the ground running in its box office opening as the reboot reaches unprecedented heights for the franchise. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026

Noun

In June, Olivia Rodrigo told BBC News about her pivotal run-in with SZA at the Grammy Awards. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026 Lane was granted immunity from prosecution for his testimony against Adams, though Wright Stevens grappled with growing evidence that suggested Lane had prior run-ins with the Ipalook sisters and was at their home the night of the murders. — Mackenzie Farkus, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for run in

Recent Examples of Synonyms for run in

Verb

Navigate the biodiverse backwaters of Choctawhatchee Bay or visit Destin, the perfect beach town for kiteboarding and snorkeling.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Southern Living recommends classing it up a bit while visiting Blowing Rock, however.

— Eva Flowe, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of visit

Verb

An 18-year-old woman was bound and raped by a man inside his Queens apartment more than a year ago, and a suspect has now been arrested, police and law enforcement sources said Friday.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Sep. 2026
The driver, identified as 54-year-old Robert Delorenzo of Stratford, was arrested and charged with reckless driving, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and failure to stop on the right side of the road.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of arrest

Noun

Grazer put up a fight against Chunk to defend her cubs, but one cub died after the encounter.

— Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2026
Blanco’s family’s lawsuit argued the officers could have done more to deescalate the encounter, including through the use of less-lethal weapons, such as a 40mm projectile launcher.

— Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of encounter

Verb

Ryan, who came over to the Tigers in the deal that sent lefty ace Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers, hasn't pitched in the majors since 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

— Christian Romo, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Speaking of dominating running backs, Kenneth Walker III, who came over from the Seahawks after winning Super Bowl MVP, looked like the best offseason addition.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of come over

Verb

The charges stemmed from fighting more than a decade ago between the predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels who seized power from then-President François Bozizé, and a mainly Christian militia called the anti-Balaka.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
Confession has also been a way for artists to seize authority from systems that preferred them silent, decorative, or safely explained.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of seize

Verb

His August appointment at The Resurrection Project represented one more step in a long journey.

— Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
However, Ore Energy co-founder and CEO Aytac Yilmaz believes this is where iron-air batteries could step in.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of step in

Verb

An urge strong enough to pull me away from the kitchen, grab my computer, and steal a table outside to scribble out my thoughts.

— Samantha Rees, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
The video then shows the deputy grabbing the wallet and opening it, showing Bolduc and the bodycam the contents.

— Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of grab

Verb

The discovery came by accident, said the study’s co-lead author Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz to NBC News.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026
McKinsey projects some six million small-business transitions are coming by 2035, representing up to $5 trillion in enterprise value.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of come by

Browse Nearby Words

rung up

run in

run-in

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Run in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/run%20in. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of run in

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

confabulate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes